The small town of Jama Ecuador has many multi-talented artists, and most of them dodge the spotlight. How can they get more recognition if someone doesn’t prod them forward from time to time?!

Months ago my friend Luchy Cevallos wondered how to bring more attention to his cybercafe on incoming “Jama Avenue.” After a few test drives past his building, I suggested, “Luchy; people are looking straight ahead toward the center of town. You need something bright and colorful to turn their heads.” A few weeks later as we painted the pole, he snickered when people slammed on brakes or swerved as they looked back as they drove past! “Someone is going to have an accident,” he chuckled.

At night, Luchy pulls a few tables and chairs to the sidewalk to expand the social area; calabash light fixtures dangle in front of the window, and a tempting menu prompts customers to place an order. Luchy also owns Cabanas Palo Santo, and I often wonder when he has time to create art. But create he does, and his fame is slowly spreading!

Sergio's Paint Delivery

Inspired by the brightly-colored post, Sergio Hernan Berrios Silva , tourism director for the canton of Jama, spearheaded a competition to transform the concrete power poles on the incoming Jama Avenue into works of art. During the week of March 12- March 17 (2012) Sergio coaxed artists from 8 years to 30-something to tap into the creative influence of the Jama Coaque precolumbian indian designs and blaze Jama Avenue with paint! Co-sponsored by Diners Club International, the contest triggered a current of creative energy that pulsated from one end of Jama Avenue to the other! Neighbors loitered on the sidewalks or watched from the shadows of a nearby bench as young children dashed from pole to pole and compared styles, subject matter and techniques.

.James Madden of nearby Lalo Loor Reserve not only painted dramatic designs but also mentored many of the younger artists. Other Lalo Loor volunteers contributed exceptional talent before other obligations pulled them away.

Lalo Loor Volunteers (above and right)

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By day three, many asked why I had not painted a pole, so on day four I joined the painting fiesta! Within five minutes of setting up, I was joined by a handful of eager children wearing, “Please may I help?” expressions on their faces! Oh dear!

"Zeebras in Training" - What should we paint - Jama Coaque or zebra stripes?!!!

At times surprise showers halted the painting process. Paint dribbled down posts, and artists retreated for an hour or overnight until it stopped.

Javier tackled two posts at once and showed by example that excellence should not be hurried.

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Like an army of ants, all artists repaired damage and resumed work when the sun smiled on us again! .

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Friday afternoon brought more onlookers; some strolled by on foot. Some viewed the progress from mototaxis. Others observed from cars and trucks. All gave nods and words of approval as they watched their town transform.

Saturday found the most serious artists still at work. New volunteers, inspired by the explosion of color, joined forces and painted with extreme energy and focus!

Admiring each work, a panel of four judges walked the entire length of Jama Avenue and inspected each creation. A line of enthusiastic children trailed behind, and the difficult task of evaluating the poles cast a serious mood over the group.

Each judge rated the 52 posts on a scale of five to ten; the scores were turned over to another panel, and the winners will be announced at a breakfast ceremony on the 29th of March.

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A once-monthly week-long “Painting Marathon” has been discussed, and hopefully the town of Jama will continue to blossom into an arts community. In time, perhaps a gallery will represent this town full of aspiring artists, and people will smile and say, “It started with one light pole.” Z

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74 thoughts on “It Started with One Light Pole”

wonderful article. so so fun to see what your lively personality creates all over the place. You are well remembered here and every time I go to pilas I see the zebra striped gate and think of you……..always with fondness.

hey gwen! thanks so much for your kind words; i am glad that you liked the post! the week was exhausting yet invigorating, and to see all of those proud young faces as they created their masterpieces – who could ask for more?
siempre,
z

thanks! anyone with a slow connection will probably curse me! there are so many more photos in queue that did not make it into the post; maybe they’ll appear in a companion video? i’m glad you enjoyed the story. z

thanks, kate! yes, everyone is smiling, and the community pulled together in a beautiful way!

i want you and don to seriously consider being a part of the next ‘tarpon challenge’ at rio colorado lodge in CR later this year. I’ve been talking with dan and we’ll try to figure out the best time for all involved! z

Only you could see with the eyes of the “zeebra” what it takes to stop traffic. Always an inspiration to many, always altering the ways others learn how to “see”, creating new ways to change a whole community, thats Lisa.

… And then there’s the multi-talented extremely-grounded watercolorist named Hope Carr! You’ve done your share of influencing others as well! We’ll have to stripe some power poles together one of these days!
Siempre, Z

Hi! It’s your old student, Danielle Cox. I’m so glad Mrs. Hope shared your blog. Mom and I were just wondering last week how and where you were…and of course pondering our warm feelings for you. I’m so glad I can keep up now.
Warmest Regards,
Danielle

Danielle! Oh, it is SO GREAT to hear from you, and we have our lovely friend Hope to thank for this reunion! I was about to shut down the computer and embark on a day of travel,and I am so glad to have received your comment before leaving. I look forward to hearing what’s happening in your life and seeing how you’ve evolved as an artist. Give your dear mother my love as well! “Mrs. B aka Z” :))

Hola Helene!
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Hearing from you bridges the distance across the Atlantic.
Yes, your country has endured a tragic chapter; maybe healing can begin now that the killer is no longer a threat.
Give my love to Lise!
Z

Con mucho gusto! Lesli! Perdon! How great it was to see you on Sunday, though other responsibilities pulled you away before I could thank you or say, ‘goodbye – nice to meet you!’ — As Becky pointed out, the post details regarding ODG Tur Jama were left hanging, and I need a refresher in order to write a summary and give credit for their part. There’s a need for a community bulletin board – or something – to keep everyone informed on what’s happening in the area. Siempre, Lisa

Si! I formally nominate you as our official Chamber of Commerce “person” for the area! :)
Many times there’s a ‘Who’s on First’ glitch in communications, and there’s a need for a community calendar of events – or some way to keep everyone informed! See you soon! z

Thanks, Becky!
Lo siento; I need to learn more about OGD Tur Jama, as the first I’d heard of it was on Sunday, the day of the judging! I’m still out of town, but when back I’d like to find out more about OGD, what it stands for, when it was started, etc. I’m not a participant in facebook, but hopefully soon more can be added to this post- or an additional post can be written about OGD Tur. Thanks! Lisa

Such a fabulous project, and so great that you have celebrated the success of the community in a public forum. I was in Jama the week the poles were being painted and was amazed by the ernestness of the participants and the way this simple project transformed a street.

Hola Rene’
Yes, the participants amazed me as well!; with pride and seriousness, they embarked on their painting journey. Painting concrete posts is not an easy task, and they did it well! the spirit of cooperation was amazing, as was the community support. I often marvel at the level of excellence many amateur artists reach while using basic or inferior supplies. with better brushes and a few hours’ of formal nudging, they have the potential to fly!
I’m glad you witnessed that great collective spirit along jama avenue!
Z

This is great Zee! Its amazing how a little art can transform a normally ugly object we simply tolerate because of their necessity into something we actually WANT to look at! Thank you! If you have more light poles to do, sign me up!!!

Thanks, Stephanie, and thanks for taking the time to wade through the older posts and sprinkling your ‘likes’ as you progressed! I can thank a beautiful image of a soft blue hydrangea for triggering this mutual respect! Z

Sweet people. The town is surpassingly ugly, par for the course along the Pacific coast. The culture and charming towns and architecture are all in the highlands in Andean South America, and also in Central America and Mexico.